Jonny Swift - Kalimera

 

Jonny Swift's third album in just over three years is convincing proof of the superiority of the album format versus the playlist. They shouldn't clash, after all the playlist is essentially just an extension of the mix tape and was for a long time through the digital advancement.

The mix tape was for listening to music on the move, mainly in the car and the cdr continued that. It was also a way to impress your friends.  But since the likes of Spotify became the arbiter of all listening with its soulless devaluation of paying for art, the playlist has taken on a whole new life.

These playlists don't stick to 20 songs until the next one is compiled, they go on for days and days, hundreds and hundreds of all sorts extend them with one click. The beauty of music and the joy of getting lost and marvelling at a body of work is lost in a "this one's a banger, this ones a smoocher" madness.

So what has this got to do with Jonny Swift? Well Swift has fashioned a proper album that should be listened as a complete thing. It has been compiled with a track order that shows off both his range and talent. It isn't something to have one track put on a playlist and then the rest of the album consigned to the forgotten.

I suppose you might label this as Indie, although that would be way too strict a definition. Someone who can write something as lo-fi Broudie pop as Hollywood, yet also produce a soundscape that sprawls as wonderfully as Summer Solstice over its 7 plus minutes can't be pigeon holed that easy.

Summer Solstice isn't reflective of the rest of the album, but it is the centrepiece. It is a wonderful pastoral Psych Pop masterpiece, it just envelops itself around you. If there were a similar song here, it wouldn't have the same effect, it is gripping in its easy manner.

The pop count is high. Little Pictures is great Jangle Pop and Patricia masters Dream Pop down to the annoying mechanical drum beat that is present on too many songs of that genre. There is a great Bass sound on it though.

Come Down is very Glasgow second half of the 80s and My Friends has a 60s twang that desperately wants to get out and bring Adam Faith out. Dragonas John is a real brave oddity that shouldn't work, but absolutely does.

It consists of Swift narrating a quite ordinary tale of a potential boat trip in a Christopher Ecclestone way. Yet this is accompanied by a hypnotic Psych soundtrack that builds and builds. Kalimera is a splendid affair, to be listened to from start to finish. You can then add another Harry Styles song to your playlist when you've finished.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

....................................